"Yum, this is so good!"

No matter where you are, it's island time when you're eating this good. [View this email in your browser]( Island hopping. 🏝 By Emma Niles, Tastemade Contributor Who else is [on the quest]( for a bit of peace and quiet this summer? As July comes to a close, I’ve been dreaming about laying on a white sand beach while turquoise waters lap at the shore. It’s been a while since my last trip to Hawaii, or the Caribbean, but the slow pace and sun-soaked hours that these islands are known for live rent free in my head. High up on my list? A trip to the Maldives, where plenty of adventure awaits…or plenty of blissful nothin’. I’ll be sharing more on this gorgeous archipelago below. Not sure about the Maldives? You’re in luck: It’s your last chance to take our quiz to find your travel style and plan your perfect getaway. [Take the Quiz]( Can you figure out this week’s tropical brain game? 🧠[Four bowls of different kinds of food like pasta, tomato soup, salad, and rice and veggies.] FOOD What to Eat A taste of the tropics. We’re officially on island time with these 5-star recipes, inspired by tropical getaways around the world. [A plate of rice and meat with an egg and a side of meat and rice] Filipino Bacon (Tocino) By Jen Phanomrat ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I love tocino for breakfast. Thanks for sharing this recipe.” — Cindy B. [Make It]( [a piece of salmon with avocado and onions on a plate] Blackened Salmon with Avocado Salsa By the Tastemade Culinary Team ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "This recipe was extremely straightforward.” — Brandon F. [Make It]( Want to [rate and review]( a recipe that you’ve cooked? ✍️ Share your tips and see what others think by choosing a recipe and selecting “Recipe Notes.” And no need to wait! Go back to rate and review recipes you’ve already cooked. [Grilled pineapple slices topped with nuts and a scoop of vanilla ice cream] Grilled Pineapple Sundae By Dale Talde ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This is great.” — Raff P. [Make It]( [Gooey purple yam bars on a white plate] Gooey Ube (Purple Yam) Bars by the Tastemade Culinary Team ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Yum, this is so good!! The shortbread crust is so good.” — Katie P. [Make ‘Em]( Recipe of the Day Level up your avocado toast. Lunch, solved. Take your [avocado toast]( to new heights with crusty sourdough, a homemade garlic spread, and locally grown and sustainably farmed California Avocados. Get them while they're in season — now through summer — and don't forget to look for "California" on the avocado label when you shop! [Find Stores]( TIPS What to Do Island hopping in the Maldives. Known for its serene overwater villas and stunning ocean views, the Maldives — technically the Republic of Maldives — is a series of over one thousand islands that stretch along the Indian Ocean. Though the smallest country in Asia, the Maldives are rich in culture: here, Islamic traditions blend seamlessly with vibrant local customs and folklore. Experience the warmth of Maldivian hospitality through traditional music, dance, and culinary delights that reflect the archipelago's unique heritage. Snorkel with an expert The reefs in the Maldives are abundant with tropical fish and other marine life. Snorkeling is an easy, accessible way to get in the water and witness the beauty and diversity of the reefs yourself. A guided snorkeling tour ensures that you’ll see an array of creatures, and have answers to your many questions (what is that?!). Plus, a guide can take you to different reefs around the archipelago, for a diverse snorkeling experience. Tip: Work with your hotel to book your guided snorkeling tour. If exploring coral reefs is high up on your priority list, research hotel offerings in advance to see the packages they offer. Island hop The Maldives are composed of thousands of individual islands, but most people stay nestled comfortably in their resort when they visit. However, there are also local islands teeming with food and culture worth a day trip. Stroll through food markets and shop with craft vendors. Be sure to try delicious, fiery curries and fresh fish, both staples of Maldivian cuisine. Tip: Many hotels offer trips to locally inhabited Maldivian islands, though they aren’t always advertised. Chat with your hotel in advance about booking this type of experience, or work with a third-party company to hire a local guide. Dolphin watch by sunset If you’re hoping to see sea life without getting soaking wet, the Maldives has plenty of options (underwater dining! underwater hotels with sharks!). Perhaps the best — and, dare I say, romantic — way to explore the Indian Ocean and catch a glimpse of dolphins is by taking a chartered boat ride. From tiny, private speedboats to large, slow charter boats, there are endless options depending on your mood and party size. Tip: Book your tour for sunset. Not only will you have dazzling skies as your backdrop, but dolphins are most active at dusk. Do absolutely nothing The vast majority of hotels and resorts across the Maldives are carefully designed so that you can relax. While there are plenty of adventures available, the real reason for any visit is to lay out on a white sand beach and bask in the tropical beauty of your surroundings. Take advantage of a spa treatment, make the most of the undoubtedly delicious food offerings, and float in the calm, crystal clear waters. You’re on vacation, baby. Tip: Try leaving your cell phone in your room for a light media cleanse. Or go old-school and use a disposable camera to help you stay in the moment. CREATOR’S CORNER Who to Follow Meet [Mariah Harkey](. [Mariah Harkey]( is an award-winning filmmaker and content creator based in Los Angeles. She’s spent the last eight years shooting short-form social video for brands, artists, live events and beyond. From journeying to Dubai with Christina Aguilera to living on a ship for months while exploring the world, travel is her bread and butter! Below, she shares the highs and lows of working in the travel space. *This interview has been edited for brevity. TASTEMADE: What was the first professional experience you traveled for and what did you learn from that experience? MARIAH HARKEY: One of my first videographer roles was with Semester at Sea, which is a study abroad organization that takes place on a cruise ship. I was hired to be their on-ship videographer in fall of 2018, where we sailed around the world to 11 countries in 4 months. On this voyage I learned that I had a HUGE passion for telling stories of different cultures and ways of life around the world, and that I wanted to continue in a career path that led me to do so. TASTEMADE: What are some of the unexpected challenges you've faced while traveling as a filmmaker and videographer? MARIAH HARKEY: One of the hardest things I've run into while traveling as a filmmaker is bringing gear into new countries! I've been to a lot of places where they want to know exactly where, who and what I'm filming. And sometimes, traveling with as many cameras as I have is looked at as a red flag when I arrive into a foreign airport. TASTEMADE: What's one of the most rewarding travel shoots you've been on and why? MARIAH HARKEY: In June 2022, I was hired by MTV/Paramount+ as a behind-the-scenes shooter to capture social content for their new mini-series, SAMPLED. We traveled to 6 cities in just 8 short weeks (Berlin, London, Amsterdam, Monterrey, Medellin and Tokyo) with U.S. artists looking to explore the countries they were on tour in. They were shown around the country by local "hosts" — socialites, DJs, musicians and personalities, showing off the best things to eat, drink, do and see. Prior to this, I had built my background in both the travel spaces and music spaces, and so it was so rewarding to be working on a show that was a perfect intersection of the two. TASTEMADE: What advice do you have for other filmmakers or creators who would like to work on travel content? MARIAH HARKEY: I used to think that I needed to be hired from a big company to have rapport with travel content. But it's really as easy as traveling to a new place, filming some content with a good story and your vision, and posting them on TikTok/IG and Youtube. In today's time, it's so easy to have one video take off on social media, and then people start calling YOU for more! So my advice would be to book the trip, create some content for yourself, post it online, and see what happens. It's also worth reaching out to the hotels or excursions you want to visit prior, as they might be interested in a photo/video content trade for a free excursion or stay! Keep up with Mariah’s adventures on [Instagram](. SHOP THE SHOW Create an Outdoor Oasis Take advantage of longer days by firing up the grill and dining al fresco. Elevate your outdoor space, big or small, with cozy seating, festive lights, fun games and more. [Shop Outdoor Oasis]( Tell us how you feel. 💭 How likely are you to recommend this newsletter to a friend? lowest [1]( [2]( [3]( [4]( [5]( [6]( [7]( [8]( [9]( [10]( highest [Instagram icon]( [Pinterest icon]( [TikTok icon]( Was this email forwarded to you? [Sign up!]( Copyright (C) 2024 Tastemade. All rights reserved. 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